It was back in 2009 that I first read about Sabrina Yeap. Then, Antares of Magick River featured TV Smith's post about Sabrina's rescue mission in Pulau Ketam to capture and transport the remaining survivors back to Sabrina's Furry Friends Farm animal shelter. At that time, residents of Pulau Ketam had sent some 300 stray dogs to exile on a remote island where the harsh conditions almost certainly guarantee a horrible death. Sabrina managed to save only one dog on this reconnaissance trip while several other were starving and dying dogs along the mangrove shore. This morning, I learnt about her demise AT THIS LINK and am thoroughly shocked that one as young as Sabrina could pass on in the twinkling of an eye.
I googled for more information and chanced upon Jill's Blog HERE where I was moved to tears by the beautifully written tribute to Sabrina. Excerpt:
It is with indescribable sadness, to learn the tragic news that Sabrina Yeap passed away on the 17th July 2012.
Sabrina died as a result of leukemia, an illness that she did not know she had until days before her death. Sadly she was an orphan with no family, but her friends, Salehin and Myza, were by her side when she passed.
Sabrina was well known to those in the animal welfare community as the founder of Furry Friends Farm - a rescue centre for stray dogs in Malaysia - and the Coordinator of our Dr Dog animal therapy programme, which she began in June 2007.
Sabrina's vision with Dr Dog was to focus on the mixed-breed dogs who could give their unconditional love to a community that had abused or neglected them or their kin in the past. The stories of her success were legendary - with patients in homes for the disadvantaged gradually accepting, and then looking forward, to the unique and friendly dogs that Sabrina brought into their lives.
Over time, Sabrina and her team, which included long-time examiner and help, Salehin, intelligently and compassionately steered Dr Dog into a programme that saw the image of dogs gradually being enhanced and celebrated at last.
Today, nine canine ambassadors visit a variety of centres, including an autism centre complete with noisy and very enthusiastic children under the age of 10. As with every centre across Asia that embraces this programme, the children here react positively to the dogs and enjoy learning to stroke them in the correct and gentle way.
Over the years, Sabrina and her team also held successful charity drives in Selangor, and coordinated a very successful Walk for Harmony event too, where a couple of years ago they featured the birthday of a very special dog called Hope.
Helena Hon of The Malay Mail wrote a sensitive and moving tribute to Sabrina. Excerpt:
SABRINA YEAP, founder of Furry Friends Farm (FFF), a no-kill animal sanctuary in Rawang, and the saviour of the dogs of Pulau Ketam, died at Sungai Buloh Hospital yesterday.
Yeap, 49, who devoted her life to saving strays and promoting animal rights, died of leukemia at 2.50pm, after slipping into a coma on Monday night.
“She did not even know she was sick,” said a close friend and FFF volunteer who declined to be named. “It was only after a blood test at 3am at the hospital, did she know she had leukemia.”
The friend attributed this to her dedication at putting the animals first and herself last.
Photo Credit: Malay Mail HERE
Yeap had been credited for her initiative at embarking on Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), a programme by which animals of all kinds are used to provide companionship and healing to the handicapped, the aged and the infirm. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.
Rest in peace, Sabrina Yeap. I never had the chance to meet you but may you really dwell in heavenly bliss with all your darling canine friends in heaven as you have already crossed the rainbow bridge.This poem is for you...
The Rainbow Bridge
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All of the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor and those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing, they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, after so long a time, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.
-Anonymous-
A Prayer For Dog and Cat Lovers
by anonymous
Give me time to understand what you want from me.
Place your trust in me. It is crucial to my well-being.
Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work and entertainment as friends. I have only you.
Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice.
Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it.
Please don't hit me. I can't hit back, but I can bite and scratch and I really don't want to do that.
Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right foods or I've been out in the sun too long or my heart is getting old and weak.
Take care of me when I get old. You will grow old, too. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say "I can't bear to watch," or "Let it happen in my absence".
Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember I love you!
-Author Unknown-
-Author Unknown-
Sabrina, I am sure you left your 'footprints' in the hearts of the dogs you loved - just as they left their paw prints in your heart. You are definitely loved by those who knew and loved you.
Rest in peace, Sabrina.
Starmandala Dear Paula, I never met Sabrina Yeap - though I did call her on the phone to thank her for being such a human angel (those who love animals with such unmitigated passion automatically qualify). So it's inaccurate to say I was involved in the Pulau Ketam rescue operation. To set the record straight, it was TV Smith who alerted me to the situation - and I was so stunned by the cruelty shown to our canine allies I blogged about it. There were many groups who went into action at Pulau Ketam - and the sad news is that, even among animal rescuers, there appears to be an unnecessary amount of rivalry and in-fighting.
So I never had the pleasure of meeting Sabrina Yeap and was stunned to hear of her sudden death. I do hope all animal rescue volunteers will realize how petty it is to compete instead of cooperate and work together to change the benighted attitudes of the larger community towards animals and help them realize that the measure of spiritual maturity is how compassionately we interact with other species.